Absentee parents

Absentee parents

"GOD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "How should I know? Am I his babysitter?" (Gen.4.9) 

Why was it God that was interrogating Cain? Where were his parents? Where was Adam, the father? And Eve, the mother? The absence of parental control over these two boys led to the first fratricide - killing of one's brother. 

We can see the effect of absentee parents in the life of Cain . In many quarters it is believed that the father should be the one who is responsible for the discipline of the children. It is true that God speaking of Abraham said that He knows Abraham would train his children to observe God's way of life but does this excuse the mothers? I think it is collaborative effort. 

"Yes, I've settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe GOD's way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly, so that GOD can complete in Abraham what he promised him." (Gen.18.19) 

This verse does not exempt the mothers from training the children. Meaning as mothers, do not wait for the father to get back before setting the child straight. "Wait until your father gets back home" is saying to the child that s/he can misbehave as long as the father is not around and to also not take the mother seriously even when the father is. 

Proverbs tell parents to train up their children. It is a joint responsibility. As a parent do not leave the training of your child to the church, the school, the community or to God like Adam and Eve did. It is your responsibility to fight for your children 

"... "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes." (Neh.4.14) 

It is the parents responsibility to teach the children proper behaviour 

"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents." (Eph.5.1) 

Good day,
Have a great day today, 
Emmanuel Okoro, 
(aka Mr. Lift)

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